Severe cyclonic storm “Yaas” has destroyed many nests and eggs of the estuarine crocodiles in the Bhitarakanika Park. The forest personnel have sighted less number of nests of the crocodiles this year than last year during a drive in the park recently.
Kanika Range Officer Manas Ranjan Das said the Bhitarakanika National Park authorities last year had spotted 103 nests of crocodiles in Kanika, Gahirmatha, Mahakalpada and Rajnagar wildlife forest range divisions under the Bhitarkanika Park. Out of 103 nests, forest personnel had spotted as many as 90 nests of crocodiles in Kanika forest range alone. But this time, only 60 nests were sighted within the Kanika forest and wildlife range.The tidal water washed away several nests, in which crocodiles had laid eggs during high tide due to the Yaas effect. Nearly a dozen of crocodile nests were destroyed inside the Dangamala crocodile scheme area during the cyclone, informed Das. Generally, the estuarine crocodile form nest on the same spot or nearby areas where they earlier laid eggs by forming nests. But this time, the forest personnel failed to get the nests of crocodiles on the areas where the reptiles normally lay eggs. This proves the nests were destroyed, Das added. The female crocodiles lay eggs inside the mangrove forest near the water bodies of the park areas and guard the eggs till the emergence of the hatchlings from the eggs.
During the nesting season, the crocodiles lay eggs by creating mount like structure of nest with mangrove leaves. The hatchlings emerge from the nest after a gap of about 60-70 days.
Notably, the Bhitarkanika Park was badly affected during the Yaas cyclone as two wildlife animals had died and several thatched roofs of forest cottages, doors, windows and water pipes were damaged. A portion of a floating jetty too suffered damages at Habalikhati.